Computers and Work

Section 4.2.1 identifies sources concerned with the impact of computers in the contemporary workplace. Sources in this section examine ways in which work in the information era has been transformed--i.e., with respect to the number and kinds of jobs (e.g., "telework" and the "electronic cottage industry") that have resulted from the use of computers and information technology. Section 4.2.2 includes sources that focus on the quality of worklife in the computerized workplace. Some works cited in this section examine issues associated with the "electronic sweatshop." (Sources that focus on the various health hazards and medical injuries associated with computers and work are included in 5.1, which considers broader "quality of life" issues related to computers.) Section 4.2.3 lists sources concerned with ethical and social issues related to the use of computers to monitor employees.

Computers and Privacy

Section 4.3.1 lists sources that examine some of the philosophical assumptions and foundations underlying individual or personal privacy and that consider ways in which personal privacy is threatened by computers and information technology. Works that examine court cases and recent privacy legislation as well as national and international efforts to regulate the transfer of personal data are cited in Section 4.3.2. Section 4.3.3 lists sources that address public concern over privacy issues related to the use of computer databases in the commercial sector. In particular, issues regarding the accuracy of, access to, and the sale of personal information are considered in the entries listed in this section. Section 4.3.4 identifies sources that approach the issue of privacy and computers from the point of view of government attempts at social control. Sources that focus on issues of computerized record matching, electronic surveillance, and encryption technologies are identified in this section.

Computers and Social Justice

Section 4.4.1 identifies sources that focus on issues related to computers and social equity. The impact of computer technology on the poor (or "have-nots"), racial minorities, and third world nations are examined in works cited in this section. Sources that consider gender issues related to the use of computers and information technology are listed in Section 4.4.2. Section 4.4.3 includes entries that look at social and ethical issues associated with computers and education. Sources that focus on ways in which computers have been used and abused in politics and political elections are listed in Section 4.4.4.

Computer Crime & Computer Abuse

Section 4.5.1 lists sources that examine the nature of computer crime and the profile of the computer criminal. Works that focus on issues related to hacking, "cracking," "hacker ethics," and "hacker's rights" are cited in Section 4.5.2. Entries in this section also examine issues related to computer security. Section 4.5.3 includes a list of works that address ethical and social issues associated with computer "viruses" and related forms of computer sabotage. Works cited in Section 4.5.4 focus on issues associated with software piracy.

Intellectual Property Rights & Legal Issues

Works cited in Section 4.6.1 examine the nature of intellectual property rights and consider ways in which such rights can be extended to the ownership of electronic information. Section 4.6.2 includes sources that examine legal issues--e.g., recent court cases and judicial decisions, copyright laws, and patent protection--pertaining to ownership of electronic information. Works that examine some of the controversies related to the future of electronic books, electronic journals, and other online publications are cited in Section 4.6.3.

Cyberspace and Civil Liberties

Section 4.7.1 identifies sources that address proposals and plans for designing a National and a Global Information Infrastructure--an NII and a GII. Section 4.7.2 includes sources that examine the social impact of some of those proposals and policies. Sources addressing issues related to control, access, and social equity in cyberspace are contained in this section. Section 4.7.3 lists sources that address ethical and legal issues related to cyberspace and the NII. Sources concerned with issues related to rights, responsibility, and accountability on the internet or "information superhighway" are listed in this section. Sources focusing on issues related to democracy and civil liberties in cyberspace are included in Section 4.7.4. Also listed in this section are some classic works on topics of free speech and liberty by authors such as John Milton, John Locke, and John Stuart Mill. Recent articles from Time and Newsweek are also listed along side the more "scholarly" works. Many articles from these two popular magazines--especially those written by Philip Elmer-Dewitt and Steven Levy--have been anthologized in Computer Ethics and Computers & Society textbooks.